What happens at the magistrates’ court?

These courts are the engine houses of the criminal justice system. All criminal court cases, from murders to not paying your TV licence, pass through these doors first.

The most serious offences go straight up to the crown court, either for trial or sentencing.

The bulk of the less serious crimes are dealt with by the magistrates, either in Truro or Bodmin.

The courts are busy each week with a wide range of cases to consider. If a defendant pleads guilty, they will be sentenced on the spot or the case could be put back for a pre-sentence report. If they plead not guilty, the matter will be adjourned for a trial which takes place at the magistrates' court at a later date.

15:26Mike Smallcombe

Autistic Redruth man built a homemade stun gun as part of a personal technology project before taking it into town as a 'comfort blanket'

An autistic Redruth man built a homemade stun gun as part of a personal technology project before taking it out with him in public as a “comfort blanket”, a court has heard.

Shane Rogers, of Nettellls Hill, was arrested after armed police descended on a road in Redruth at around 6pm on March 19, following reports of a public disorder involving two men.

When the officers arrived there were four men at the scene, now including Rogers, who was searched and found to be in possession of a homemade stun gun he had hidden inside an empty juice carton.

Rogers, 22, said he was handed the weapon by another person, and in exchange for looking after it he would receive two grams of cannabis as a reward.

Rogers, who has been in care since the age of ten and suffers from ADHD and depression, accepted that the stun gun was capable of discharging electricity.

He was subsequently charged with possession of a weapon capable of discharging gas or electricity, and admitted the single charge in court.

When asked if he had used the stun gun during a police interview, he replied: “No screw that, it looked powerful, it was a sweet looking one and I offered to buy it.”

Rogers later admitted that he had not taken possession of the stun gun from another person, and that it was in fact something he had made himself.

His defence solicitor told the court: “He is very technologically able as a result of his autism. And making this was one of the projects he embarked on.

“He is not good with going out or being around people. He decided to try and go out that night with his friend and took the stun gun as a comfort blanket. There is no suggestion it was brandished or used to put anyone in danger.”

Rogers was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was also told to pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

During sentencing, Rogers interrupted the court to admit that he had some machetes at home.

He was told he would receive advice about this after the hearing.

14:45Mike Smallcombe

Repeat offender who struck cars in Falmouth while driving over the limit is banned from the road

A repeat offender who struck cars in Falmouth while driving over the limit has been banned from the road.

Christopher Brason, of Treliever Road in Penryn, was arrested after a member of the public reported him to police.

The 28-year-old was driving along the narrow Ease Rise road in Falmouth at 3.45pm on August 11 when he hit two cars.

A member of the public challenged Brason and called police after seeing him hit the cars, and stayed with him until officers arrived.

In court he pleaded guilty to one charge of driving while above the alcohol limit.

Brason was banned from the road for 42 months, having previously been convicted for drink driving in 2013.

He was also fined £160 and told to pay £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

13:38Mike Smallcombe

SLOW

I’ve been at court since 10am and only heard four cases so far; it’s been a slow day up here with a few people not turning up (arrest warrants issued), some solicitors needing more time with clients and one sentencing taking an age. We’re currently on lunch.

Gary Williams, of Rosehill Gardens in Penzance, is in the dock charged with committing two hates crimes.

The court heard that the 49-year-old, who suffers from mental illness, used racist language towards a nurse at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance, before repeatedly calling a police officer a lesbian shortly before arrest.

Williams arrived at the hospital front doors at 10.20pm on July 28 seeking help for his mental health problems, and was spoken to over an intercom.

Williams is known to hospital staff as a result of his past behaviour. Nurse practitioner Edward Mabgwe, a black male, greeted Williams at the front door, and asked him how he could be of assistance.

Williams then responded, “what, what”, before saying, “I’ll get you, you black c***”, and then kicking the door.

A shocked Mr Mabgwe responded, “don’t call me a black c***”, and police were called to the scene.

When officers arrived, Williams continued his abusive behaviour and asked PC Natalie Zeini, “are you a f***ing lesbian, you f***ing lesbian”, before going on to call her a “whore’ and a ‘slut”.

Both Mr Mabgwe and PC Zeini were described as being “greatly offended and upset” by the insults.

In a victim statement, Mr Mabgwe said Williams had angered him. “His behaviour upset me, and he abused me personally,” he said. “He is offensive in the way he speaks to people.”

Williams was arrested at the scene and later told officers in an interview that he was angry, as he was seeking help for his mental health problems.

“What I said is not an excuse, but I was angry and I hear voices,” he told police.

Williams pleaded guilty to both charges against him.

Williams, who suffers from severe anxiety and severe psychotic depression, told the court: “On this occasion what I did, I put my hands up that it was not acceptable. I suffer from mental health problems and I often self-harm and I feel bad for what I did.

“I can’t take back what’s happened unfortunately. I keep myself away people because I can’t mix with them. It’s part of the illness I suppose. Psychologically I’ve got lot of damage.”

Williams was reminded by the court that the incident put him in breach of a conditional discharge issued at Truro Magistrates’ Court in March.

He was asked if he remembered this, and replied that he did not. “I can’t even remember what I did the other day,” he said. “It could be true.”

Williams was reminded that he used threatening language towards two police officers in a pub in Penzance, including saying, “I’ll f***cking cut you up, and your children”.

Williams was issued a two-year criminal behaviour order, banning him from being a nuisance anywhere in Cornwall, being drunk in public in Cornwall, and from entering or attempting to enter West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance while under the influence of alcohol. He must also leave any commercial premises in Cornwall immediately if asked to do so.

He was ordered to pay Mr Mabgwe £400 in compensation, and PC Zeini £200.

After being told this, Williams said: “I don’t understand how you can fine me £400 for saying one line, one sentence.”

He was then told that the court’s decision was final.

11:25Mike Smallcombe

Film industry worker banned from road after moving van for stranger in Falmouth while over the drink limit

An Essex man who works in film production has been banned from the road for drink driving after moving a van for a stranger after a night out in Falmouth.

Rory Johnston, of Colchester, was drinking in the town when he was asked to move a white Mercedes van from one quay to another in the early hours of July 27.

The 28-year-old was driving on Quay Street when officers noticed a light hanging down from a number plate.

The officers followed Johnston, who moments later rolled the van into a lamppost while parking.

Johnston, who had passengers, got out of the van where he was met by the officers, and apologised to them.

“I’m going to fail [the breath test] anyway, I’ve had two pints,” Johnston told them. “I was moving it from one quay to another, I can’t believe it.”

In mitigation, Johnston’s defence solicitor Ramsey Quaife said his client was sorry for what he had done.

Mr Quaife added that Johnston works in the film industry as a self-employed film production secretary, meaning his conviction is likely to mean he won’t be able to work in the United States in the future.

Johnston was banned from the road for 19 months. He was offered a drink driver’s rehabilitation course, which if completed will reduce the length of the ban.

He was also fined £346.

10:19Mike Smallcombe

Camborne man denies driving whilst disqualified

A Camborne man has denied driving whilst disqualified and without insurance.

John Weller, of Pengegon Way, has been charged with the offences after allegedly driving a VW Golf on Lower Pengegon on January 25 while banned from the road.

Weller, 45, has denied both charges as he maintains he was not the person driving the car at the time.

He will face trial at Truro Magistrates’ Court on October 9.

10:11Mike Smallcombe

Truro man accused of raping boy

Today’s first case in court one is that of a man accused of a string of sex offences including the rape of a boy.

Jordan Smith, of Truro, faces three charges of rape of a boy under the age of 13, one charge of attempted rape of a boy under the age of 13, and two charges of assault on a boy under the age of 13, namely by touching.

Smith was aged 14 and 15 when the incidents allegedly happened between May 2009 and May 2010 in a village between St Agnes and Redruth.

Smith, now 23, did not enter a plea as the charges are indictable only, meaning they are too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

The case will be heard at Truro Crown Court on September 21. In the meantime Smith was granted unconditional bail.